Production of Nutrient-Rich Watermelon-Based Juices

Introduction: Watermelon and pumpkin are traditional melon crops cultivated in Kazakhstan and many countries worldwide. The recent decade has seen an increase in the production and consumption of melon crops due to growing consumer interest in healthy eating. There is a significant demand for watermelon juice production, not only because of its organoleptic properties like color, taste, and aroma, but also due to significant bioactive compounds such as carotenoids (lycopene), flavonoids, phenolic compounds, amino acids, and vitamins. Utilizing local melon crops to develop new types of mixed juices is a relevant and promising direction.

Purpose: To develop a recipe for the production of mixed juice based on melon crops (watermelon).

Materials and Methods: The objects of study were mixed juices based on watermelon juice. The obtained watermelon juice samples were characterized by nutritional value, determined amino acid composition, and vitamin and mineral content. Organoleptic, physicochemical, and microbiological indicators of the juices were studied.

Results: A recipe for mixed juice based on watermelon was developed using apple, pumpkin juices, and diffusion juice of rose hips. Organoleptic, physicochemical, and microbiological indicators of the juices were studied. The juice samples have original organoleptic indicators, a uniform consistency, a harmonious, well-balanced taste, and a bright color. Physicochemical research showed that the titratable acidity of the analyzed juices is within 0.9-1.9 mmol H+/100 g, active acidity - 3.9-4.3 pH units. Yeast and total microbial counts are within sanitary standards and regulations, molds and coliforms not detected. Adding rosehip juice positively affects the content of vitamins C, B1, and B3, increasing by 47%, 14%, 23% respectively. Besides vitamins, mixing juices also significantly increases the content of arginine, methionine, proline, and magnesium.

Conclusions: As a result of the conducted research, a recipe for mixed juice based on watermelon with the addition of pumpkin juice and diffusion rosehip juice was developed. The mixed juice is a valuable source of bioactive compounds, providing a refreshing and strengthening effect on the body. Watermelon processing will solve the problem of processing melon raw materials and expand the range of domestic beverages with high nutritional and biological value.

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